Genesis 29:14-24

14 and Laban saith to him, `Only my bone and my flesh [art] thou;' and he dwelleth with him a month of days.

15 And Laban saith to Jacob, `Is it because thou [art] my brother that thou hast served me for nought? declare to me what [is] thy hire.'

16 And Laban hath two daughters, the name of the elder [is] Leah, and the name of the younger Rachel,

17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance.

18 And Jacob loveth Rachel, and saith, `I serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter:'

19 and Laban saith, `It is better for me to give her to thee than to give her to another man; dwell with me;'

20 and Jacob serveth for Rachel seven years; and they are in his eyes as some days, because of his loving her.

21 And Jacob saith unto Laban, `Give up my wife, for my days have been fulfilled, and I go in unto her;'

22 and Laban gathereth all the men of the place, and maketh a banquet.

23 And it cometh to pass in the evening, that he taketh Leah, his daughter, and bringeth her in unto him, and he goeth in unto her;

24 and Laban giveth to her Zilpah, his maid-servant, to Leah his daughter, a maid-servant.

Genesis 29:14-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 29

This chapter informs us of Jacob's coming to a well near Haran, where meeting with some shepherds he inquires after Laban, Ge 29:1-8; and there also with Rachel his daughter, the shepherds made known to him, and acquainted her who he was, Ge 29:9-12; upon which she ran to her father, and told him who was at the well, who went forth and brought him to his house, and kindly entertained him, Ge 29:13,14; with whom he agreed to stay and serve seven years for Rachel his daughter, Ge 29:15-20; at the end of which Jacob demands his wife, but instead of Rachel, Leah was brought to him as his wife, Ge 29:21-25; which being discovered, and complained of, it was proposed he should have Rachel also, provided he would serve yet seven years more, to which he agreed, Ge 29:26-30; and the chapter is concluded with an account of four sons being born to Jacob of Leah, Ge 29:31-35.